The Salamander by Jorge Luis Borges
The story revolves around a man who discovers that he has the ability to transform into a salamander at will. He uses this power to gain wealth and influence, but ultimately loses himself in the process. The narrative explores themes of identity, morality, and the consequences of playing with forces beyond human control.
By Jorge Luis Borges · First published 1953 · Genre: Mythology, Philosophy, History · 1,110 words
First lines
Not only is it a small dragon that lives in fire, it is also (according to one dictionary) ‘an insectivorous batrachian with intensely black smooth skin and yellow spots'. Of these two characters, the better known is the imaginary, and the Salamander's inclusion in this book will surprise no one. In Book X of his Natural History, Pliny states that the Salamander ‘is so intensely cold as to extinguish fire by its contact, in the same way that ice does'; later he thinks this over, observing sceptically that if what magicians said about the Salamander were true, it would be used to put out house fires. In Book XI, he speaks of a four-footed, winged insect called the ‘pyrallis' or ‘pyrausta' living ‘in the copper-smelting furnaces of Cyprus, in the very midst of the fire'; if it comes out into the air and flies a short distance, it will instantly die. The Salamander in man's memory has incorporated this now forgotten animal.
What this Textopian page supports
The Salamander is listed on Textopian as a short story by Jorge Luis Borges, dated 1953 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Jorge Luis Borges
- Date: 1953 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Mythology, Philosophy, History, Literary Criticism, Science
- Length: 1,110 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Salamander by Jorge Luis Borges
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Salamander?
- How does this short story by Jorge Luis Borges fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Mythology first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Panther by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Griffon by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Mandrake by Jorge Luis Borges
- Afterword by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Hippogriff by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Basilisk by Jorge Luis Borges
Genres
- Mythology — The text explores mythical creatures like the Salamander and phoenix, drawing on historical and legendary sources.
- Philosophy — The work delves into philosophical ideas about the nature of elements and existence, referencing thinkers like Empedocles and Aristotle.
- History — The narrative includes historical references to figures like Pliny, St Augustine, and Marco Polo, as well as historical beliefs and texts.
- Literary Criticism — The text analyzes and critiques literary and rhetorical uses of the Salamander and phoenix in poetry and prose.
Tags
Philosophical Fiction · Metaphysical Novel · Fantasy · Mystery · Symbolism · Mythology · Allegory · Existentialism · Absurdism · Short Story Collection · Literary Experimentation · Speculative Fiction